Reef 'in the picture'

Gearsworks 'in the picture'

Bow Down review

Desiger: Nikola Boev
Artist: Nikola Boev
Publisher: self published MoonCraft Games
BGG page: over here
Rating: N/A

Playing time: 15-20 minutes

Age: 8+/10+
Weight/Complexity rating: medium light
Category: Card game, Fantasy, Party game

Mechanism: Card drafting, Deck/Pool building, Player elimination, Take-That
Cost: Kickstarter pledge around €15 ~ £13 ~ $17 (shipping not included)

Kickstarter release date: 11th of July 2019
Facebook page: MoonCraft Games
Instagram: moon.craft.art
Website: mooncraftgames.cin

Disclaimer:  This is the promotion game close to finish, there will be an awesome upgrade to the Dragon Wielder card. This is not a paid review, just my personal view and sharing experience of the game Bow Down.

Intro: We got this game delivered to our doorstep two or three weeks ago and the first weeks it had some tough competition in our shelf. I had to be reminded about the game and when we finally got it to the table we were surprised by the minimalistic art of the box. No, there is no name on the box and I asked 'why' and it was a well thought choice to keep a focuss on the art.

Time to 'break the seal' and open the odly shaped box and finally we could see the game.

First impression: original box!!! huge cards, impressive thematic letter to explain the setting and the goal of the game and a very short 'rule-pamflet' (everything in theme)

How to play: we did not check the Kickstarter (pre-) page for a 'How to play' but we simply read the rule-pamflet.
And it's easy, you get three cards, you need to build an army with the cards in your hand (max 5) (but you may always pick a 6th card and discard one) and the moment you are confident you have the strongest army/ most points on the cards in your hand you shout "BOW DOWN" and everyone gets a last turn.
After that the player with most points win.

- unless someone has the one and only 'Dragon Wielder'-card: than THAT player wins (the ultimate victory).

You get three actions to choose from, pick a card OR attack someone OR play an action card. Pick a card does not need an explanation, attack is you make known what player you will attack and both you and opponent count the strength of your army. (points on the cards in your hand). Highest score may pick a card without looking from the opponent and discard it. If there is a tie, you BOTH pick a card from your oponent and discard it and count again.

A spy: pick a card from another player, place it open on the table and the player can return it to their hand if it is their turn. This will make you very vulnerable in the mean time because if it's a high card your army will be weak and an attack right now will provide the opportunity for another player to attack and discard your open card on the table.

There are three actions cards with also minimalistic but oh so beautiful art.
Another action card is a Toll Bridge, you swap one of your cards with one card you blindly pick from someone's hand. Last but not least; the Assassin. If you play with three players or more you may choose two opponents, pick a card from their hand blindly and discard them. (one card if you play with two).

How to win: The moment you feel confident about owning the strongest army in your turn (- the active player) shout 'BOW DOWN'. Please note, in the rules it does NOT mention one having to shout but our family is slightly competetive and we learned hat the tension while playing was real causing us to shout. Everyone a turn and highest points wins, unless someone has a Dragon Wielder card.

- wait - You win when you have the Dragon Wielder card? Why not call out 'BOW DOWN' and win? Well, I tried that and had each and every opponent attacking me and grabbing my precious card. Please do not do that, be patient and wait till someoneELSE calls 'bow down' and gloat afterwards.

DO NOT PLAY:

• if you are not capable of dealing with 'take that'-games. It can be rough to be attacked time after time because you are a sweet mom but the kids want to get you and decide to ALL attack you
• if there are only two of you. Yes you can play with two but like most party games, it is getting better and better with a higher player count.

GUARANTEED GOOD TIME:

•  if you love to play in a group with a bigger player count
• if you want a quick game, almost no set-up time needed and max five minutes explaining the rules-tim
• if you are sensitive to beautiful art

Choc's recommendation:

Since we own the game we have played it 12 times. And the best part of it, we played it over and over again. The game is really addictive and after you won or lost you just re-shuffle and start dealing out three cards to every player and start all over. Eay peasy.

What I like most is that the game made us laugh. Sometimes life can be as simple as that. This is no game where you need to think about your strategy or plan your next step, it's a game where you can look at the beautiful art, get back at your friends and family for no real reason and laugh when they take you out without showing any mercy.
There is a rule that you may not lie but you are welcome to bluff and it is so much fun. My kid who shouts 'Let's all attack dad' and after I was so stupid to follow her guidance she attacked me and everyone followed attacking ME. I have a sad theory that a mom of six kids will never win this brutal family game. But it will not stop me from trying ;-).

We loved it. Youngest kid is 8 years old and it is her favorite game right now (if there is a fire and you need to run but can grab one boardgame; she will grab 'Bow Down'). It is a quick pick if we want to play a short game with friends or family and again, I personally love the simplistic art of every character. The Eagle is my favorite because my son's name is the Dutch word for Eagle but the other cards are so impressive too.

Some pictures I want to share and a recommendation to back this game as soon as it hits Kickstarter

Shelf of Crates